Author Archives: Oren Levine

Tunes on Tuesday: Mister Magic

Why this tune? This week’s tune is a classic blend of soul, R&B and jazz that reached its peak of popularity in the 1970s. The tune is most closely associated with Grover Washington, Jr, whose recording hit the Top 100 pop and R&B charts in 1975. There aren’t that many recordings of “Mister Magic,” butContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Mister Magic”

Tunes on Tuesday: Along Came Betty

Why this tune? Last week was the birthday of the great jazz sax player and composer Benny Golson. That was an opportunity to learn one of his classic tunes, “Along Came Betty.” Golson wrote it for a woman he was dating: “the rhythmic sway reflects how Betty used to walk.” Art Blakey recorded it firstContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Along Came Betty”

Tunes on Tuesday: Snowfall

Why this tune? When you’re looking for inspiration for a new song, there’s always the weather. This song was inspired by the snowstorm that blanketed Washington, DC earlier this month. I saw an opportunity to try out some creative ways to describe the snow in words and music, and capture some of the sense ofContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Snowfall”

Tunes on Tuesday: Next Slide

Why this tune? Sometimes the journey from idea to completed song is fast and direct. This week’s tune was one of those. It was triggered by a presenter on yet another online work meeting calling for the “next slide.” That reminded me of the countless slide decks I prepared and presented over my long technologyContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Next Slide”

Tunes on Tuesday: Someone To Watch Over Me

Why this tune? On New Year’s Day 2022, a new collection of songs and recordings written or recorded in 1926 entered the public domain, after their 95-year copyright term expired. This addition to the public domain repertoire happens every year, but we’re now seeing songs on the list that are still popular today in theContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Someone To Watch Over Me”

Tunes on Tuesday: Our Delight

Why this tune? I decided to play Tadd Dameron’s “Our Delight” this week after hearing it on a vinyl record from 1980 that I bought at HR Records in my neighborhood in Washington, DC. This is another fine bebop standard by the man Blue Note calls “the definitive arranger/composer of the bop era.” Dameron wasContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Our Delight”

Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Start The New Year Right

Why this tune? I’m preparing this week for a New Year’s Eve gig, and always looking for some new New Year’s tunes to add to the set list. My musical partner Barbara Papendorp has also been looking, and found this obscure Irving Berlin song he wrote for the 1942 film “Holiday Inn.” There don’t seemContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Let’s Start The New Year Right”

Tunes on Tuesday: I’m Old Fashioned

Why this tune? “I’m Old Fashioned” is a lovely song by the American song masters Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer, which they wrote for a 1942 film “You Were Never Lovelier.” It’s been a regular feature on my set lists for years – Barbara Papendorp and I include it in almost every show, and I’veContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: I’m Old Fashioned”

Tunes on Tuesday: Bend Don’t Break

Why this tune? This week’s tune is another work in progress, a song inspired by our island second home of St. Croix, which I’m planning to record with a talented group of musicians from the island. “Bend Don’t Break” encourages us to face our problems and challenges with flexibility, taking inspiration from the palm trees,Continue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Bend Don’t Break”